LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT

Legislative issues abound but the most pressing of all are continued attempts to amend the IDEA reauthorization in the areas of discipline and suspension of special education students. Another issue that is of state significance is the reduction of FY 2000 budget for mental health ( approx. 15 million less and the possibility of closing Eastern State Hospital/Vinita, as well as only serving the severely mentally ill in community mental health centers). Additional specific concerns are that the Oklahoma Health Care Authority will develop new Medicaid rules that do away with Day Treatment Hospitalization completely as well as cut initial acute hospitalization to 5 days for recipients.

Education Advocate Online provides you with the information to monitor the education scene and the tools to lobby Congress and state legislatures --right from your desktop computer. We invite you to register to receive Education Advocate Online. Visit http://www.nea.org/lac and click on "Become a Cyber-Lobbyist" or send an e-mail to cyber-lobbyist-feedback@list.nea.org. to unsubscribe, send an e-mail to cyber-lobbyist-feedback@list.nea.org and type "cancel" in the subject line. This list conforms to the Acceptable Use Policy of the National Education Association for electronic mailing lists. Stay aware of these issues and let your voice be heard.

Stephen Crane , Legislative Committee Chair

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